Rockford University’s Day of Giving Seeks to Procure a Record Amount of Gifts for Rockford Promise Scholars at Rockford University04/25/2023 10:08 am
Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will participate in challenges and special activities to encourage engagement. This year, Day of Giving is seeking to specifically support Rockford Promise Scholars studying at Rockford University.
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, will hold its ninth annual Day of Giving on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that uses the power of social media to raise funds in support of Rockford University students. This year, Day of Giving is seeking to specifically support Rockford Promise Scholars studying at Rockford University.
Challenges, fun incentives, and special activities will be featured to encourage engagement and participation throughout the day. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will celebrate on campus with fun activities planned from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. outside the Johnson Alumni Center, 5050 E. State Street. There will be FREE food, t-shirts for the first 50 guests, pictures with Reggie the Mascot, and time with RU’s therapy dogs.
Rockford University makes a profound difference in the lives of Rockford Promise scholars by supporting their dreams and graduating them in four years, tuition-free. In Fall 2023, the number of Rockford Promise scholars choosing to study at RU, Rockford’s local university, will TRIPLE and requires financial support.
Last year, Day of Giving raised over $120,000 from 375 donors. This year, the goal is to exceed last year’s totals and achieve a record 400 alumni and friends making their gift of any size to show their belief in these incredible students.
“Rockford Promise scholars contribute so much to our campus and community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support additional scholars coming to our campus through this year’s Day of Giving. Having 400 donors join us in celebrating the success of these students will allow Rockford University to continue graduating even more Rockford Promise scholars tuition-free,” said Nicole Riley, Rockford University’s Director of Alumni Engagement & Philanthropic Strategies.
Event attendees who make a gift of any size are entered in a pick-a-prize opportunity and a pick-a-pie opportunity, where they can win a gift provided by a faculty or staff member, and pick who from leadership will get a good-hearted pie to the face during the End of Year Bash on April 28.
To participate or follow Rockford University’s progress during the 2023 Day of Giving, connect with the university’s primary social media channels and use hashtag #RUDayofGiving2023.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RockfordUniversity/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rockforduniversity/
Website: www.rockford.edu/give/dayofgiving/
Photo opportunities will be available from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. outside the Johnson Alumni Center during our Day of Giving Celebration.
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Please RSVP to Communications@rockford.edu by 9 a.m. on April 27, 2023, to confirm your attendance.
08/30/2022 2:59 pm
Every day, our RU team members—faculty and staff, both past and present—make a major difference in our students’ continued success. You are among the university’s incredible advocates of our mission. Thanks to you, we create a total academic and co-curricular experience that prepares students for fulfilling lives, careers, and participation in a modern and changing global society.
Your influence doesn’t stop there. By supporting the university philanthropically, you amplify our ability to raise even more dollars. By making a gift— at any level, at any time of year—helps improve our employee giving rate. What’s more, you help open the door to grant dollars, and set a Rock Solid example to our students and future alumni!
Making automated gifts to the university through payroll deduction is easy. Complete and send in the form here.
Make your gift online here.
Please contact Olivia Covert, Advancement Officers–Events and Giving, at 815-226-3376 or OCovert@rockford.edu.
Thank you for all you do to make the remarkable happen!
08/30/2022 2:45 pm
The President’s Annual Report highlights the university’s major accomplishments from the academic year and, in addition to our annual financial statement, illustrates how our community helped advance our mission. The publication also heralds our Honor Roll of Donors.
08/29/2022 4:00 pm
When you give to Rockford University, you help students build bright futures today. These stories illustrate the difference that your giving makes in the lives of many Regents—students, alumni, faculty and friends.
Davis is among our Spring 2022 Distinguished Scholars, completing the semester with at least a 3.75 GPA. The freshman was named First Team All-NACC and NACC Freshman of the Year, a first for an RU woman student-athlete and the fifth in NCAA history. She also was earned Rookie of the Year—congratulations!
Callahan is one of 55 Illinois students to receive this prestigious honor from The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. He graduated in Spring 2022, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.
Husband and wife Mehmet and Filiz Dik have been vital to the Rockford University community since they became faculty members in 2003 and 2006, respectively.
“Autumn Schaal understands that a student’s environment plays a vital role in their academic success and overall health. Luckily, Schaal has a wide range of experience in fields of wellness, and her holistic healing practices allow her to meet each student’s needs on an individual basis.” – One Magazine
02/22/2022 9:49 am
The Celebration of 41 Years of Costume Design
April 28th, 2024
2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Maddox Theatre – Clark Arts Building
Please use the form below to purchase tickets*
STUDENTS: There are a limited number of discounted tickets ($10) available. Please click here to reserve them.
*All revenue from ticket sales will support the Performing Arts’ trip to the Festival Fringe in Scotland!
Benefits of Membership in FOPA
Become a Member
Join Now
Questions?
Call one of the co-leaders:Bob Kantner ’79 at 815-762-0407
Bill Scarpaci ’98 at 815-997-4934
Interested in making a major investment in FOPA or including RU Performing Arts in your will or estate?
Contact Linda Ploenzke Sandquist ’85 at 815-394-3756
08/17/2021 4:39 pm
07/26/2021 12:33 pm
Cherie Poole Townsend ’73 retired from public service leadership and is now serving as executive director for the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology and for IACFP Europe, a public interest foundation in Belgium. Cherie also has her own...
Joyce Williams Warren ’71 retired after 31 and a half years as Circuit/Chancery Judge for the Sixth Judicial District in Pulaski and Perry counties in Arkansas. Catalyst...
Carolyn Sweasy Hedin ’71 remains busy and committed to her studies, teaching yoga and Vedic Chant, and by supporting the Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Red Wing, Minn., a nonprofit center that offers residencies for writers and artists of all genres...
Irene Richeson Helm Sedeora ’70 took up writing after her time at Rockford University and is a published writer. She is a member of the National League of American Pen Women. Catalyst...
James Tuthill ’69 and his partner, Helen, went to Australia and New Zealand on a cruise in March of 2020, and almost got stranded in New Zealand because of the virus. Jim’s initial trip to England in 1968 during the first RU January program led by Dr. Gordon Ross...
Ted Sanford ’68 is a retired anesthesiologist and captain of the United States Navy living in Coronado, Calif. He taught anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. Ted has helped to get Californians vaccinated. Catalyst...
Jane Havlicek Roth ’68 retired in December 2020 as senior director of global real estate for Ellucian, Inc. and is currently focusing on being a caregiver for her mother with whom she shares a home. Her mother is a remarkable 103 years young. Catalyst...
Gerald Bargren ’61 celebrated 60 years of marriage with his partner, Jean. They have seven children, 22 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Catalyst...
Arlene Murin Krizka ’60 welcomed her second great-granddaughter to the family. Catalyst...
Colleen Kitzmiller Holmbeck ’56 was named one of four finalists for the WIFR Eyewitness News Remarkable Woman Award. She has spent decades volunteering and activating positive change in the Rockford community. Catalyst...
Office of Advancement & Alumni
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5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Toll Free: 877-273-4368
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02/03/2021 12:32 pm
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06/29/2020 2:05 pm
Cherie Poole Townsend ’73 retired from public service leadership and is now serving as executive director for the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology and for IACFP Europe, a public interest foundation in Belgium. Cherie also has her own...
Joyce Williams Warren ’71 retired after 31 and a half years as Circuit/Chancery Judge for the Sixth Judicial District in Pulaski and Perry counties in Arkansas. Catalyst...
Carolyn Sweasy Hedin ’71 remains busy and committed to her studies, teaching yoga and Vedic Chant, and by supporting the Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Red Wing, Minn., a nonprofit center that offers residencies for writers and artists of all genres...
Irene Richeson Helm Sedeora ’70 took up writing after her time at Rockford University and is a published writer. She is a member of the National League of American Pen Women. Catalyst...
James Tuthill ’69 and his partner, Helen, went to Australia and New Zealand on a cruise in March of 2020, and almost got stranded in New Zealand because of the virus. Jim’s initial trip to England in 1968 during the first RU January program led by Dr. Gordon Ross...
Ted Sanford ’68 is a retired anesthesiologist and captain of the United States Navy living in Coronado, Calif. He taught anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. Ted has helped to get Californians vaccinated. Catalyst...
Jane Havlicek Roth ’68 retired in December 2020 as senior director of global real estate for Ellucian, Inc. and is currently focusing on being a caregiver for her mother with whom she shares a home. Her mother is a remarkable 103 years young. Catalyst...
Gerald Bargren ’61 celebrated 60 years of marriage with his partner, Jean. They have seven children, 22 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Catalyst...
Arlene Murin Krizka ’60 welcomed her second great-granddaughter to the family. Catalyst...
Colleen Kitzmiller Holmbeck ’56 was named one of four finalists for the WIFR Eyewitness News Remarkable Woman Award. She has spent decades volunteering and activating positive change in the Rockford community. Catalyst...
Judy Symon Sophianopoulos ’53 retired in 2005 after 18 years as an environmental scientist with the EPA and 17 years as a lecturer and researcher in chemistry at Emory University. Now, Judy volunteers as a tutor at the afterschool program LaAmistad, a charitable...
Erin McDonald ’19 is a medical/surgical nurse working with various medical problems and has seen all different types of patients including those with trauma, cardiac issues, withdrawal, and COVID-19. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Yvette Robinson ’18/’20 is excited to be serving her country as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Housing. She has had the pleasure of working with the Illinois National Guard and the Winnebago County Health Department during a vaccine...
Christopher Scorsolini ’17 has launched his career in aerospace and is currently a financial controller for Global Military Programs at GKN Aerospace in Connecticut. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Jetsabel Alcala ’16/’19 was part of the TEDx Talk in TEDx Normal. She enjoyed sharing insights about how communications with students and parents have changed since distance learning started. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Shannon Tipton ’02 is working as a staffer for an Illinois state representative and helped create a Black caucus in Will County, Ill.
Christopher Yax ’98 recently joined Teleflex, a medical device manufacturer, selling their intra-aortic balloon pump technology. His sales territory includes the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern...
Maryann Jones Hayslip ’93, principal of St. Aloysius School in Pewee Valley, Ky., is the recipient of the 2020 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership given by the U.S. Department of Education. She is one of 10 educators in the nation to receive this...
Kelly Sartorius Scott ’88 received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award along with four other Elgin Community College employees. The award recognizes outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators of community and technical...
Charlyne Blatcher Martin ’88 published her first book of poetry titled “Walking Through Memories” available on Amazon and her historical fiction short plays have been produced by Rockford Public Library, the Ethnic Heritage Museum, and Midway Village Museum Center,...
